I recently attended a workshop presented by Jackson Katz entitled “More Than a Few Good Men: Strategies for Inspiring Men and Boys to be Allies in Gender Violence Prevention”. Jackson Katz is one of the leading national figures in prompting men to take a stand against gender violence. He engages men through a variety of mediums as a documentarian (check out his ground breaking first film, Tough Guise, which explores issues of masculinity in the media), an author, a public speaker, and collaborator in the Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) Program. 

Perhaps Katz’s most important effort has been not just in encouraging men to step into the domestic violence prevention arena, but to actually take ownership of the root of the problem itself. Katz explains that we as men often view gender abuse as a “women’s issue”, but poses the question, “If the vast majority of DV offenders and rapists are men, then isn’t this really a men’s issue”?

In his new book, "The Macho Paradox: Why Some Men Hurt Women and How All Men Can Help" Katz outlines strategies for engaging men to take a stand and explores some of the systemic roots of gender violence within our society. At his recent workshop in Denver, Katz primarily focused on these strategies, sharing his message in a highly passionate and engaging way, drawing the audience into the dialogue. He shies away from handouts and canned PowerPoint and speaks from the heart with such command of his material that he appears to be improvising his lecture on the spot. His delivery style is deliberate yet nurturing, as if you are sitting down on the bottom bunk with your big brother as he sets you straight about how a man is supposed to treat a woman. He provides a much needed role model for men everywhere.

As I write this now, I am only beginning to realize the profound affect this workshop has had on me. Professionally, I now find myself channeling Katz’s wisdom in my work with adolescent boys and men. On a personal note I feel that I have become more sensitive to the reality of the issues women face on a day to day basis. Simple things that I had been taking for granted. For instance, most men don’t think about having to protect themselves when they walk alone in their neighborhood at night or worry about getting slipped a date rape drug at a party, although these are both fairly common concerns for many women.

Katz’s work is ushering in the paradigm shift necessary for us guys to take action. Too many of us who are good guys - well-intentioned, with strong morals and depth of character have either consciously or unconsciously chosen to remain on the sidelines in the fight against gender violence. It’s time for us to take responsibility for this issue and begin holding not only ourselves, but our fellow men and the institutions we have created accountable.

- Tyler Osterhaus, Family Focus Prevention Programs Manager, Weld County Department of Human Services